ABAP names qualifier bets

The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) yesterday announced the lineup of boxers that will compete in the Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifying tournament in Qian’ An, China starting Wednesday.

The six were part of a group of 14 boxers who went on a whirlwind 18-day training camp in four cities in the West Coast of the United States: Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio and executive director Ed Picson bared the line up after getting recommendations from the four coaches who travelled with the group: deputy head coach Nolito Velasco, women’s head coach Roel Velasco, 3-star AIBA coach and 3-time Olympian Romeo Brin and the only female coach in ABAP, Mitchel Martinez.

ABAP head coach Pat Gaspi was unable to make the trip as he was in Manchester, England attending the AIBA Coaches’ Commission meeting where he is a member. Gaspi is the chairman of the Asian Coaches Commission.